Chapter 240

For that reason, my companions and I once again set foot in the ruins of the ancient empire.

As we gazed at the ruins of the ancient empire once more, feeling a mix of nostalgia and excitement, we began to explore the interior, some of us seeing it for the first time.

Finally, we reached the deepest part of the ruins where I had previously discovered the artifact along with the journal.

“This is the deepest part of the ruins we entered last time.”

“Indeed, this place feels different, almost as if it was lived in.”

“But when we investigated here last time, aside from the journal and artifacts, there wasn’t anything particularly unusual, right?”

“It was the same when Aila and I investigated.”

“I thought so too. However, according to the journal, there’s actually a hidden room in these ruins. It’s said to be a space concealed so that only intelligent humans could find it in case the ruins were invaded by monsters or other creatures…”

“Then, does the journal mention how to find that space?”

“Yes. According to the journal, there’s a hidden mechanism on the wall opposite the entrance. I’ll investigate it for a while. It might take some time.”

As Seiri began carefully examining one of the walls, the rest of us, with nothing else to do, either calmed our minds in anticipation of the ruins’ secrets, helped her with the investigation, or simply chatted freely.

My companions chose to look around once more, marveling at the surroundings.

“Wow. The more I look, the more amazing this architectural style is.”

“I can’t even tell what material the walls and floor are made of.”

“Wait, more than that, isn’t it strange that there’s not a single seam?”

As we wandered around, continuously amazed by the interior, stopping in one place to slowly look around brought a different kind of awe, and they each expressed their admiration.

“By the way, Kurt. Didn’t you say there are golems guarding these ruins?”

“Ah, I think I heard that too. It’s surprisingly quiet.”

“Of course it’s quiet. I took down all those golems a while ago.”

While we were exchanging trivial remarks, Seiri, who was examining the wall, let out a gasp as if she had found the hidden mechanism.

“This must be it! Such a cleverly hidden mechanism. If we hadn’t known about it from the journal, we would never have found it!”

“Ah, it seems the investigation is done. Let’s stop sightseeing and regroup.”

“So, does that mean we won’t see any guardian golems here? It’s good that it’s safe, but it’s a bit disappointing to just sightsee without any thrilling adventure during this rare exploration.”

No. Wait, usually when someone says that…

Beep beep beep───

At that moment, the minerals decorating the walls and floor, which had been emitting a faint turquoise glow, suddenly began flashing red, and an unknown alarm sounded from somewhere.

“Wh-what’s going on?”

“…I had a feeling this would happen.”

“Huh!? What do you mean?”

“Stay alert! Something seems to have gone wrong.”

As the entire room flashed ominously red, we all sensed danger and began preparing for combat.

I hope it’s nothing serious.

With such a loud alarm, expecting it to be just a malfunction is probably too much to ask.

And that ominous feeling is never wrong.

[Warning. Unauthorized access by non-human entities detected. Security level increased. Current security level: 3. Summoning guardian golems in the area… No response from guardian golems in the area. Security level increased. Security level: Critical. Activating Andelia, the Imperial Guardian Golem’s elite troops.]

“Mari, you planted a strange foreshadowing, and now we have a problem.”

“No! According to the broadcast, it’s because Kurt took down all the golems that things escalated, isn’t it!?”

[Signal response entities: 3. Confirmed. Checking, confirmed, activating. Confirmed. All humans in the Imperial Palace, please evacuate immediately.]

As we were talking, the ominous alarm continued, and the wall Seiri was examining began to crack irregularly.

Creak creak creak…

And from within, three silver-armored golems, similar to the guardian golems I had defeated before, emerged.

However, these golems were clearly more powerful, equipped with more sophisticated armor, and their detailed features indicated they were superior to the ordinary golems I had faced before.

One wielded a sword and shield, another a massive greatsword that even a normal person couldn’t wield with both hands, and the third carried a spear.

Each golem, armed with distinct weapons, seemed to signify that they were special units, unlike the mass-produced golems I had defeated earlier.

They fully revealed themselves but remained motionless, as if gauging our strength, their red eyes glowing as they stared at us.

“They do look strong, but…”

“They’re probably just like the golems Kurt defeated before!”

Though initially taken aback, we soon regained our composure, encouraged by the fact that there were only three golems. As calmness began to show on our faces, the golems’ figures blurred.

What!?

Clang!

“Ugh…! My wrist feels numb!”

I barely managed to block the golem’s strike, wincing at the shock running through my wrist. Realizing belatedly that the golem had charged at Seiri, the others gasped in shock.

“Kurt!?”

“How!? Was it magic?”

“No. I didn’t sense any mana fluctuations! It’s not magic!”

“To move at such speed with pure mobility alone…”

The golem had moved at high speed in the brief moment we let our guard down, targeting Seiri, who had approached the door first. To protect her, I quickly threw myself in front of her.

But such a heavy attack…

The golems we encountered earlier in the passage moved with a flexibility that made them seem more like armored knights than golems, but these silver-armored golems were on a different level.

I hadn’t expected the golem to be so fast, so I wasn’t in a proper stance, but such a heavy blow is something I haven’t felt in a long time, even after becoming a Transcendent.

This level of impact is the first since I defeated the ruler of the Verde Jungle.

Thinking back to how I had to risk my life even as a Transcendent…

Having gauged their strength in just one exchange, I immediately shouted to my companions.

“Be careful! They have strength equal to or below mine!”

And so, a sudden battle began in the ruins of the ancient empire.

…

…

…

The battle, initiated by the golems’ ambush.

Clang!

“Ugh…!”

While I faced the golem head-on, Karina tried to flank from behind and strike with her axe, but her surprise attack was easily deflected by the golem’s light sword swing.

“My two-handed strike was deflected so easily…!”

Karina couldn’t hide her shock, not expecting her full-force attack to be blocked so effortlessly.

The golem didn’t miss the opening created by her momentary lapse and turned to face her while still engaging me.

But Karina, having had her large attack deflected, left a significant opening.

It seemed she would be cut down by the golem’s follow-up attack.

But at that moment.

“This golem…! Shattering Arrow!”

As Serena’s magic shot forth, the golem had no choice but to stop its charge toward Karina and move to block the spell.

In that moment, Karina managed to escape the golem’s range.

Screech!

“No way!? How is there not even a scratch!?”

The golem that took the hit was completely unscathed, not even a scratch.

The group exclaimed in shock.

“Combat strength to match the master in close combat, and durability that doesn’t even scratch from my magic!? This is ridiculous!”

But there was no time to be shocked as another golem began charging toward Serena.

“Serena!”

Whoosh!

Fortunately, Mari’s arrow flew toward the golem just in time, before it could reach Serena.

The golem had to stop its charge and swing its spear to deflect the arrow.

“I’ll handle this one. You deal with that one!”

“Got it!”

I charged at the sword-and-shield golem that had been targeting Karina.

With my strike, the golem gave up on targeting Mari’s group and focused entirely on me, while Mari’s group began facing off against the greatsword-wielding golem.

Meanwhile, Arisa’s group began tying down the spear-wielding golem.

And so, the three golems were each engaged: I faced the sword-and-shield golem, Mari’s group faced the greatsword golem, and Arisa’s group handled the spear golem.

The situation had solidified into a stalemate.